Safety signal



A. s. JOHNSQN SAFETY SIGNAL Filed Sepp. 6. 1921 Nov. 8, 1927.

Patented Nov. 8, 1927.

UNITED sTATEsPATsNr orries.v

ALBERT S. J'ONSON, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOB TO THE FLASH-WAY COR- PORATION, A CORPORATION OF CALFORNIA.

SAFETY Application led September This invention has to do with a. safety signalV and particularly with a hand signal of the general character set forth in my copending application entitled Safety signal filed May 26th, 1920, Serial No. 384,304,

and it is an object of this invention to provide improvements in devices of this character to render them more useful, simple, convenient, and particularly effective.

l A' feature of the present invention is the provision of a device of the character specified which can be worn on the motorists hand as a signal device and can be quickly converted into both a trouble light and into "a,dash direction signal. This feature renders the device particularly convenient and also valuable commercially.

A particular feature of this invention is, that the lamp proper is easily detachable from its carrier or lamp-box and having simple means provided to make it burn as a trouble light or the like, when independent of both its carrier and its tleXure switch, thus adding usefulness and value to the device commercially.

Another noteworthy feature of the invention is the manner by which it illuminates the hand, which makes the signaling hands position visible in the dark when at the saine time it throws Vsignal lights both forward. and backward transversely to the hand, but parallel to the path of direction to warn the` oncoming motorists as well as those following of intended direction.

Still another feature of the invention vis the simple interchangeable means provided for the convenience of the motorist to carry the lamp on the dash or steering wheel of the" car from where it may be used as a direction signal in asimilar manner as when carried on the hand except when so used it is operable by the thumb and forefinger instead of by iiexure of the hand.

Another noteworthy feature of the invention is the manner in which it illuminates the hand and at the same time throws signaling lights. The device when worn on the hand is controlled by movements of the hand and when one 4throws a light outwardly to illuminate the hand two signaling lights throw lights in opposite directions transversely of the hand.

Another feature .of the invention is the novel means provided for permanently set ting the. device in the on er lighted sentii-f SIGNAL.

6, 1921. Serial No. 498,849.

1, being a view taken as indicated by line` 2 2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal detail sectional view, being a view taken as indicated by line 3 3 on Fig. 2; Fig. 4f is an enlarged detail transverse sectional view of the device, being a view taken as indicated by line 4--4 on Fig. 1; and Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the device equipped with a. hook.

The device provided by the present invention comprises, generally, a body 10, an electrical connector 11 having connection kwith t-he inner end of the body 10, a switch or control device 12, and carrying means 13. The body 10 is a hollow member having an opening 14 at its outer end closed by a cover or lens 15 preferably of'clear glass, or the like. On opposite sides the body is formed with openings 16 andl? `which are closed by covers or lenses 18 and 19 respectively,of different colored glass, or the like. For instance, in practice, one of-said lenses may be colored green and the other red. At its inner end the body 10 is formed with an opening 20 which receives the electricalconnector 11. In accordance with the preferred form of thc invention the body 10 is formed of a solid or single piece of materialyand the lenses 15, 18 and 19 are held by rings 21, in the manner clearly illustrated in Fig. 8 of the drawings.

The electrical connector 11 comprises a cylindrical shell 22,`an insulating yblock 23 carried in the shell. and other parts in connection with said shell and block. One end of the shell 22 is adapted to slidably fit in the inner end of the body 10 and is formed Vwith a Vreduced part 25 provided with a screw threaded bore 26 adapted to carry an electric light bulb 27. A reflector 30 is Car on the reduced part 25 backf of the bulb 2'? reflect light from the titilli outwardly through the opening le. It will be noted, however, that the rctlector does not prevent light vfrom the bulb passing outwardly through the' openings 16 and 17. Although the electrical connector is removable from the body l it is normally held in connec'- tion therewith by a pin 28 which extends from the shell to co-operate with a bayonet shaped slot 29 formed in the inner end portionl olthe body l0. The parts are shaped and proportioned so that the bulb 27 is opposite the openings 16 and 17 when the connector ll is in its normal position in the body l0. The other end oi the shell 22 is open to form a vsocket 371:01h the reception of a lug 30. Y

The block 23 of insulating material, for instance, libre-*or the like,v is arranged in the middle portion ot' the shell 22 and carries two spaced metal carriers 31 in which .are slidably carried contacts `32 and springs 33 which normally press the contacs outwardly or toward the socket end ot the electrical connector, as indicated by the arrows in Fig. The carriers 3l have restricted parts 34 which cooperate Vwith the enlarged inner ends 65 of the contacts to limit t-he outward movement of the contacts. 'conductor l0 extends 'lrom one of the carriers 3l through the block 23 and connects with a compression spring al arranged between the block 23 and the restricted end part or' the shell 22. The spring L tl is adapted `to be engaged by the contact 67 at the end ofthe base ll2 of the electric light bulb 27 and operates to form an electrical connection between the conductor l() and the con- 'tact 67, and also to hold the base 42 tight in the reduced part 25. An electrical conductor i6 extends radially outwardly 'trom the other carrier 3l through'the block 23 and through an insulating member i7 insorted in 'an opening 43 formed in the shell 22. The conductoryl projects somewhatbeyond the shell 24.4 as will be clearly seen from inspection of Figs. l, 3 and l of the drawings.

The plug comprises a block 50 of insulating material through which extends tw'o electrical conductor-s 5l. At the outer end ot the plug the conductors 5l connect with wires 52 from a suitable source of'electrical energy, say for instance, a battery 53, the arrangement ot which will be hereinatte'r described. At the inner end of the plug 30 Vthe conductors 5l are :termed with enlarged parts or heads 54 which are adapt- "ed to be engaged by the contacts 32 when the plug 3() is arranged in a certain predetermined position in the socket part ot the shell 422. These parts may be of standard lsize and construction so that they can be easily replaced it necessary. The plug 30, although removable `from ithe electrical connector. is normally held in the socket 37 of the electeaaaeo trical ccnncc or by a pin 60'ctending from Vthe block to co-operate with a slot or opening 6l in the socket forming portion of the shell. ln accordance with thc invention the opening 6l in the socket portion ot the Tterse parts 63 at the inner end of the part either oit which is adapted to receive the pin 60. 'The parts are arranged and proportioned so that when the pin is in place in one ol the transverse parts 63 the contacts 32Vengage and form electrical connec-l tions wit-h the heads 54e ot the conductor 51, while whenit is arranged in the other trans vers-e part 63 the contacts 32 are out of engagement with the heads 5ft so that there is no electrical kconnection between the plug 30 and the electrical connector ll. The construction `inst-.described forms a switch by which the device may be conveniently thrown on or oli. it being merely necessaryV to rotate the plug in the socket to cause the switching action.

The switch or control device l2, provided by the present invention, comprises a spring extending inwardly trom the under side of the body l0, and a contact 66 sli'dably carriedfon thevspring and adapted to engage and co-operate with the conductor 46 upon tlexure or movement of the spring 65 in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figs. l and` 3. 'Vhen the contact 66 is in engagement with the conductor 46 a circuit is completed to the` bulb 27 so that it burns or is lighted. The contact67 at the end of thc base e2 is connected with one of the wires 52 through thel spring ll, conductor Ll0, one of the carriers 31, one ot the contacts 32. and one o'l' the conductors 5l, while the outer part of the base l2 is connected with the other wire 52 through the shell 22, the body l0, the spring 65, 4the contact 66, the conductor e6, and the other carrier 31, the other contact 32, and the other conductor al. .llVhen the Contact 66 is not in engagement with the conductor 46 the last mentioned electrical connection is broken so that the circuit to the bulb is not complete. The contact 66 is slidable on the spring 65 so that it can be adjusted to various positions to vary the normal distance between it and the conductor li6 and thereby vary the amount of spring moven'ient necessary to cause contacting of the contact 66 and conductor 4:6 in the manner above described. lt will be obvious that the lamp can be turned permanently on or ot by moving the contact 66 forward or back regardless ot the position of the hand.

An arm 66 extends inwardly vtrom the underside of the body l() to a point about opposite the plug- 30and provides a member through which the above described parts of sideration the band 69 is a resilient member and is in the form oi? an ended loop which can be` placed around a persons wrist. Art one side of the band 69 is provided a socket 72 for a lug 7 3 which extends from one side ofcthe battery 53. The'lug 73 co-operates with the socket 72 to removably attach the battery to the band 69. The member 75 is of such size and shape as to be engaged by the end of the spring 65 inthe manner clearly illustrated in Figs.` 1 and 3. Vhen the band 69 is around a persons wrist the body part l of the device is at the back of the hand s0 that backward movement et the hand will cause the body of the lamp to pivot onits hinge 70 relative to band 69m the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 1 and thereby cause flexure ot the spring which will cause contacting of the contact 66 with'fthe conductor 46. Normally however, the spring 65 keeps the band 69 and body 10 against the hand `with the contact 66 out of engagement with the conductor 46. l/Vhen the body 10 is at the back of a persons hand and the switch device 12 is closed light passing through the opening- 14 and lens 15 11" illuminates the fingers of the hand while the light passing through the openings 16 and 17 and the lens in connection therewith shines from the hand in directions transverse of the hand and in the plane of the hand.

lVhen it is 'desired to use the device as a dash direction signal or when it is desired to use the device as a trouble light, the band lill 69 is removed by withdrawal of the pin 70 and the hook member 70a is attached to the arm in place of the band 69. The hook member 7()a is a part which can be conveniently gripped by the hand and its other end can be arranged over various objects for the purpose of attaching thedevice thereto, The hook allowsthe devicetor be hung at any convenient place, say, `on the dash, steering wheel, etc. When the hook 70a is being use-'d it is preferred that the source o't electrical energy bea battery or generator which is not directly attached to the device but which is connected therewith by comparatively longy wires, thus allowing the device to be easily handled and Jfreely moved.

In accordance with the present invention a ring is provided on the shell 22 at a point near the conductor 46, and a. part 83 extends from the ring so that it can be moved into engagement `with the conductor 46 upon proper rotation of 'the ring on the shell. When the ring has been rotated so that the arm 83 engages the conductor 46 the circuit to the bulb 27 is completed through 1t rather than `the 'contact 66 and the spring 65. It

is only necessary to use the ring in the manner just described when the device 1s being used independent of or detached from the body of the signal as a trouble light, or at any time when it is desired that the bulb 27 be permanently lighted. Further, a thumb piece 90 is carried on a ring 91 which surroundsA the outer portion of the plug 30 so that it extends rearwardly from the plug 30.lv

The thumb-piece 90 presents a member which can be conveniently engaged by the thumb, when the hook 7 0a is grippe-d by the ,forelinger, 'for the purpose of flexing the spring `Gato cause operation of the switch device f12 at a time when the device is being used as a dash signaling lamp and when the ring 80 is not set so that the electrical circuit is permanently closed.

When the device is mounted on a persons han-d as above described and the person is driving a motor car the switch device is normally open, or in the position illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings, but automatil cally closes upon the hand being 'straightened out in the manner ordinary when giving a signal to other motorists. `When the hand is straightened out in signaling posiM tion the body 10 of the device is raised somewhat back relative to the band 69 so that the switch device is closed thereby causing the bulb 27 to burn and throw light outwardly onto the lingers of the hand and from opposite sides of the hand. The light thrown on the fingers is preferably white and is for the purpose of illuminating the lingers so the .signaling position et the hand will be clearly visible to other motorists as well as to pedestrians.` The lights shining from the sides Ot the hand are of dili'erent colors to better denote 'direc-tion of the course; tor instance, the light of lens 16 showing` to the rear may be red; and the light or lens 19 showing forward may be green or yellow; or whatever color best conforms to the estab` lished mode of signaling. This makes it possible for the motorist to make various signals by positioning the hand in various of him'and also other motorists behind him, simultaneously. For instance. to signal in the last mentioned manner the hand is held in a substantially horizontal plane so that one of the side lights. as the lights shining from the sides of the hand may be called, shines rearwardly while the other shines forwardly. Vhen the device is being use-d `as a trouble light the body 10 may be removed trom the electrical connedtor,A vand therefore fromaround the light bulb 27. by manipulating the body and connector so that the pin 28 is disengaged from the slot 29.

Having described only a preferred form of 11.5 manners or to signal other motorists ahead my invention I do not wish to` limit myself tox'the specific details hereinaboye set forth but wish toreseive to myself any variations that may tallwithin the scope of the tollo-ivingclaims, i Y v Iz-Iaving described a preferred forni of my invention, I claim y' l, Ina device of the character described, a body having an opening at its outer end and (i enings at yopposite'sides7 lenses ot ldiieren colors arranged at the last mentioned openings," illuminating means arranged in the Ybody toy thijow light outwardly through all of the openings, said openingsat opposite ends allowing light to shine transversely of a ersons hand, and means in connectionwi li 'the' body for attaching it toa persons hand. i l i y i 2'. In a device of the characterdescribed, a body having an opening at its outer end and openings at opposite sides, lenses ot ditferent colors arranged at the last mentioned openings, y single illuminating means arranged the body to throw light outwardly throughall of the openings, said openings at opposite ends allowing light to shine transverselyof a persons hand, and means in connection with the bodyv for attaching Vit to a persons hand.

3. In a device of the character described, a body adapted tobe arranged at the back of a persons hand, illuminating meansin the body, the body having an opening which allows light from the illuminating means to illuminate the lingers of the hand and openings which allow light to shine in directions transversely of the hand, means for causing said lights through the transverse openings to be different in color from thatoi the irst mentioned opening, and means for mounting the body on a persons'hand..

4. In device ot thel character described, a body adapted to be arranged at the back of a persons hand, illuminating means yin the body, the body having an opening which allows light from the illuminating means to illuminate the lingers of the hand and openings which allow vlight to shine in lopposite directions transversely of the hand, means for causing said lights from said last named openings Vto be of ditlierentcolors, and means Iiter. mounting the body on a persons hand.

5. In a device of the character described, a body adapted tobe arranged at the back of a persons hand, illuminating means inthe body, the body 'having an opening which allows light rom'the illuminating means Vto illuminate the iingers of the hand and openings which allow light to shine in opposite directions transversely of and in the plane of the hand, means ior causingV said lights from said last named openin'gsto be ofdifferent colors and detachable means 'for mounting the body on a persons hand.

6, In device of the character described,

a body adapted to be arranged at the back of a persons hand,`i llumin'ating means in the body, control means for the illuminating means, the body l'iavin'g'anopening'which allows light from the illuminating means to illuminate the lingers of the handand open? ings which allow light to shine in 'opposite directions'transversely of they hand, means for causing said lights from vsaid last named openings to be of different colors,and means for mounting the body on'a'persons hand. 7. In a device of the character described, a body adapted to lbe arranged :at the bacl; of a persons hand, illuminating means in the body, the body having an opening whichallows light trom the'illuniinating means to` illuminate the fingers of the hand and openings which allow light to shine in' opposite directions transversely of the "hand, means for causing said lights from said last named openings to be oie different colors, anda de-y tachable mounting for thelbody; on a persons hand, said mounting including a switch element to control the illuminatingmeans. v

8. In adevice of the character described, a body,` an electric illuminant in the bo`dy','a mounting vfor the body comprising anat# taching part pivotally Vconi'ieeted toV the body, and control means tor'the illuminant embodying a switch one of whose elements embodies a ilexiblemember mounted at one end to move with the body and engaging the attaching partat its other end so as to be moved relative to the body when the body and attachingy part are moved relatively;

9. In a device of the character described, a body, electric illuminating means in the body, mounting means for the body com? prising airarm extending from the body and an attaching part pivotally connected to the arm, and control? means for the illuminat-ing means comprising a `fined contact on gal) the body, aiienible member extending from the arm to said attaching part, and a contact on the flexible member and adapted to engage the iixedcontact upon the iiexible member being flexed due to relativeV movement between the attachingmember and the arm.

10. In a devicer of he' character described, a body, an electric illumin'ant in the body, a mounting l'or the body comprising an attaching part pivotally connected to th-e body, and control means for the illuminant embodying a switch oneof whose elements embodies a flexible member mounted at one end to move with the body and engaging the attaching pari; at its other end so as to be moved "relative to the' body when the body and attaching part are moved relatively, and a Contact member slidable on the flexible member and having its contact face inclined with respect to the otherfswitch contact element.

11. In a device of the character described, an attaching part, a body anda member movably connecting the body to the attaching part, an illuminant in the body, and a control switch including a flexible member mounted between the body and the attaching part and adapted to be iiexed by relative movement of the body and attaching part.

l2. In a device of the character described an attaching part, a body movably connected to the attaching part, and an electric illnmi nant in the body, a controlling switch for the illuminant actuated by relative movement between the body and attaching part, and another switch means on the body operable independently of. the first mentioned switch f means to control said circuit.

13. In a device of the character described, an attaching part, a body, means for movably connecting said body to said attaching part,

and an electric illuminant in the body, a circuit for the illuminant including the body and also an insulated contact member mounted on the body, a contact member, means for electrically connecting said contact member with' the body and adapted to be moved into and out of engagement with the insulated contact member by virtue of movement of the body relatively to the attaching part, and another contact member movably mounted upon the body and adapted to be moved into and out of engagement With the insulated contact member. 1

In Witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 27th day of August, 1921.-

ALBERT S. JOHNSON. 

